I am little bit embarrassed to be posting this,but I was give a suggestion that if I did maybe I would get some answers and help.I will try to explain my problem the best I can.I am having problems with my stools not going into my bag,but instead,they seem to be falling around my stoma,and staying around the opening of my bag,where I cut the hole to fit my stoma.When I change my bag,I can see where it is laying.My stools are not hard and they are not watery either.It is getting so that I have to change my bag once or twice a day,because my stools will not fall down so that I can empty my bag.The oder just sits all around my stoma.I am constantly smelling like a baby with a smelly diaper.I am going through more bags than my insurance company will allow in a months time.I don't what else to do.If you can help,I sure would appreciate it.
Sometimes that happens to me and it's usually when I've eaten things that tend to thicken the stool. Have you tried just gently running your hand over the bag and stoma to work the stool down when you feel it gathering there? Often if a little bit gets stuck there initially things just start building up and the problem just gets worse and worse. If you have a two-piece system try just opening it a little(like you are going to burp it) and run a q-tip around your stoma to loosen the stool that gets stuck there. I also suggest maybe drinking a glass of grape juice at least once during the day as it will flush things out and perhaps prevent the stool from building up there. I was having problems with chronic blockages as a result of some post-op complications (which have finally been corrected) and I find that drinking the recommended 8-10 cups of fluids each day and including things like tea and grape juice really helps keep things consistent. One other thing...maybe it's the product that you are using. For whatever reason maybe your stoma and the bag don't work well together. Have you tried using a convex barrier so that less of your stoma sticks out? A convex barrier might allow the stool to drop more directly into your bag instead of having it get stuck there.
A lot of people have success with spraying a bit of cooking oil around the top inside of the bag. This helps the stool slide down into the bag a lot easier. As Earthgirl suggested, drinking lots of water will also help soften up the stool so it slides down.
Good luck.I have had an ileostomy for 30 years now due to UC.
_______________________________________________
I'm not a complete idiot - some parts of me are missing!
It would help to know if you were using a one piece or a two piece system; and also whether you have an ileo or a colostomy. Either way, in addition to Shaz's suggestion about cooking oil (I use PAM spray), remember that you bag needs some air in it - stool can't slip into a stuck together bag.
PS: There is nothing too embarrassing or too bizarre to talk about here. While ostomies may not be the ideal topic for dinner table conversation, that's what we all share and are here to discuss. Don't ever hesistate, just ask.
Re odor probs: The only time I notice odor is when I change a one piece or empty a two piece appliance. If you are "constantly" smelling yourself, then maybe you don't have a good seal? Tell us more.
Pam?! What a good idea...that's one I might even try myself! I agree with Martha, this site is wonderful because there really is no question that you can't ask.
If you use Pam don't do what I did. I wasn't paying attention and grabbed one that had a garlic additive. Man did it stink!!!!!Sigmoid Colostomy / Crohns / Type 1 Diabetic / Ostioarthritus / Fibromyalgia / Asthma / High Blood Pressure / High Colesterol / Migraines. Ain't life a joy?
That has happened to me a lot! I've only had my ileostomy for about 2 weeks. I was discharged from the hospital with Hollister products and they have this stuff called Adapt Lubricating Deodorant. You squirt some into a new pouch to control odor and help material slide down the pouch. When I am putting on a clean pouch I squirt a little of it on my index finger and apply it to the inside of the flange, right around my stoma. That has really helped a lot. I don't know if other suppliers have an equivalent. Good luck! As far as odor goes, I wonder if we are hyper sensitive to it??? My dear husband swears he smells nothing different from "before" when I used the restroom. I do use my room deodorizer much more now though!
Margytotal permanent ileostomy due to UC on July 13
margyt said... That has happened to me a lot! I've only had my ileostomy for about 2 weeks. I was discharged from the hospital with Hollister products and they have this stuff called Adapt Lubricating Deodorant. You squirt some into a new pouch to control odor and help material slide down the pouch.
Martha